Switching device



June 30, 1925.

/Cg/,Af /45 9 /0 1,543,825 H. F. DoBBlN SWITCHING DEVICE Filed ont. e, 1921 Patented June 30, 1925.

,UNITED ,sj'rA'rEs "PATENT oFi-ici-z.

HENRY F. 'DOBBIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 WESTERN ELEC'IRIC'COM-l PANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORIEORATION OF NEW YORK.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

Application led October 6, 1921. Serial No. 505,715.

To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I HENRY F. DoiiBiN, a citizen of the United tates, residing at New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switching Devices, of *which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

vThis invention ,rela-tes to switching apparatus used for the establishment of electric circuit connectionsl and particularly to switching devices such as those employed in :telephone systems where the cooperating f terminal elements are .arranged to close cirlf cuits ata multiplicity of points.

It is especially true in telephone systems, due to the requisite flexibility in the connection of circuits of one kind to circuits of another kind, that the requirement freany one of a plurality of incoming lines or circuits,l for example, may be connected to any one of a plurality of outgoing lines. Various types of switching devices have been employed for accomplishing this purpose. One forni of switching apparatus is the ordiiiary selector having movable brushes for connecting the incoming circuit to any one of theoutgoing circuits. The outgoing circuits, being niultipled to several switches, are accessible by any of a plurality of incoming circuits. Another species of connecting device is the crossbar switch in which the incoming circuits are connected to metallic bars arranged in an intersecting relation to a plurality of other bars, each connected to an outgoing circuit. The incoming line bars each have, contact making elements for each outgoing line bar arranged in cooperative relation to similar elementsjfor said outgoing line bars. By operating any two bars the circuits represented are connected together.

In both of these types, which in their general classification embrace the majority of telephone switching. devices, the same condition is true, namely, that the electrical connection between the conductors of the incoming circuit and the conductors of the outgoing circuit is made through the agency of intermediary elements. such as brushes, terminals, bars or other devices. These iiitermediary elements, which are often coinplicated in their movements and in their quetly arises for an arrangement in which f cooperation with each other, serve to `electrically join the conductors whereby the incoming circuit is extended -to the proper outgoing circuit.

lVith the foregoing facts in mind, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide for the connection of incoming circuit conductors to outgoing circuit conductors in a simple and efficient manner without the use of complicated intermediate circuit making ele ents.

A feature of th invention relates to the provision of an electromagnetic switching mechanism in which a plurality of sets of movable conducting elements, representing respective incoming circuits, are each arranged in cooperative relation to a plurality of sets of passive conducting elements, representing res ective outgoing circuits, and in which an e ectromagnet is provided at each point of cooperation between a set of movable elements and a set of passive elements, each of said magnets serving to move the corresponding movable element into contactI with the corresponding passive element.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a switching mechanism in which a plurality of movable bare wire conductors, each representin an incoming circuit, are each arranged in intersecting relation to each of a plurality of passive bare wire conductors, each representing an outgoing circuit, and in which magnets are provided, one at each point of intersection, each 'magnet serving to move the corresponding movable bare wire bodily into contact with the corresponding passive bare wire to interconnect the incoming and outgoing circuits represented.

For operating the movable wires or conductors into engagement with the passive wires or conductors, a plurality of magnets are utilized as above explained. Each magnet may be equipped with a movable bar or some similar operating member to which the movable conductors are attached. The magnet on energizing actuates the operating t member to carry the movable conductors into contact with the passive conductors. Due to the freedom of movement allowed` the movable conductors, there may be danger that the displacement of a movable conductor caused by one of the operating members would be sufficient to bring about an inadvertent contact between such movable conductor and the passive conductor at one of the other points of intersection, particularly at the adjacent point.

Accordingly it is another object of the invention to insure against a double connection of a movable conducting element with the passive conducting elements by locking all operating members except the one in use.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of means for normally locking each movable element operating member against displacement and for unlocking any of such members upon the initial actuation of the corresponding magnet.

A still further feature relates to a means for controlling the motion of the operating members or bars in such manner that the movable contact elements governed by said members are caused to rub over the cooperating passive elements during Contact engagement.

Another feature relates to an arrangement for attaching the contact elements to the supporting structure whereby the necessary resiliency is acquired.

These and other advantages of applicants novel switching structure will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description and from the appended claims:

Referring to the drawing which consti-l tutes a part of this application Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of one embodiment of a switching device suitable for illustrating the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1 showing a part of theV elements in section and others in plan.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating schematically the manner in which circuit connections are made by switching mechanism of this character.

In order to set forth the principles of this invention it has been chosen to illustrate the same as embodied in a switching device ot the character in which bare wires are arranged in intersecting relation with one another tti/constitute the terminals. Electromagnets are provided at the intersecting points with suitable actuating devices for 'moving the wires into contact with one another and with mechanical locking arrangements for preventing interference and double connections. In its broader aspect, however, the said invention is applicable to a wide variety of switching mechanisms. The relative disposition of the conducting elements may be widely modiied to suit the character of the structure, all of which variations come within the scope of the invention.

Considering Figs. 1 and 2, particularly, a description will now be given of the construction and operation of applicants novel switching arrangement. The supporting structure of the switch mechanism consists of two opposite end plates 1 and 2 made preferably of some insulating material. These plates are spaced'and held secure by means of a plurality otrods `3, 78, 79, etc., extending across the top of the switch. Similarly, at the bottom of the mechanism the end plates 1 and 2 are likewise held by a second set of spacing rods 4, 80, 81, etc. In the drawing only three rods at the top and three at the bottom are shown. However, there will be as many of these rods across the width of the mechanism as may be necessary to meet the capacity or other requirements.

In addition to the end plates 1 and 2 there are also provided two side plates 39 and 40 also of some insulating material. The side plates 39 and 40 extendin parallel relation to the spacing rods and may be of solid material or skcletonized, if desirable, and serve as supports for a plurality of cross members. At the top there are shown (Fig. 1) tour sets of these cross members 82.783, 10-1l, 8-9 and 14--15 At the bottom of the, switch there are shown the four corresponding sets of cross members Sli-85, 12-13, 56 and 7-16. Although not essential, these cross members, which are attached in any convenient manner to the side plates 39 and 40, may also be of insulating material.

The terminals of the switching mechanism consist of plain bare wires, some of which are passive or relatively stantionary, while others are bodily movable and areso arranged in cooperative relation to the passive wires thatsuch movement carries them into physical ,contact therewith. Considering the passive terminals or conducting elements, as they may be called, Fig. 2 illustrates one set of these. Such set comprises twelve wires 53, 54, 55, .5G-63, G4. They are passed through holes in the side plates as illustrated in Fig. 2 and are secured in any convenient method, being drawn to a considerable degree ot tautness, 'yet'slightly yielding when encountered by the conducting movable elements through the spring formation oftheir ixed ends as shown at the left in Fig. 2.

The movable conducting elements consist of a plurality of bare wires extending between the end lates 1 and 2 to which they are secured and) disposed in intersecting relation at right angles to the 'several sets of passive contact elements. One set of movable elements is shown in Fig. 1 consisting of bare wires 41, 42, 43, 44-51, 52 placed in a vertical plane and secured to end plates 1 and 2 as illustrated. These movable elements are not drawn so taut as are the cooperating passive elements, but are permitted to participate in a considerable amount of displacement when actuated upon at any point throughout their length through the spring llO formation of one of their'fixed ends, aslillns- -trated at the left in- Fig. 1. Fig. 1' shows only .foursets of passive contact elements,

while Fig. 2 illustrates al structure having three sets of movable contact elements. Ob-

. viously, however',`any suitable'number of fcontact elements both movable and passive elements may be provided.

At each point of intersection or cooperation between a set of movable contactl elements and a set of stationary elements there is provided an operating member shown in the. form of a draw-bar for bodily moving the movable elements into physical contact with the stationary elements at that point. For the set of movable elements shown in Fig. 1 there are provided four such drawhars 20, 21, 22 and each located in ,proximity to the point of intersection of the successive sets of passive contact elements. Looking at Fig'. 2, the drawbar .21 is shown at the extreme lefty of the structure. 'lo the right of this draw-bar there are shown two other similar members G7 and 86. 'lhe meniber 67 lies'in the same plane with member 21 thereby serving the same set of stationary 53` 54, 55, etc., while the draw-bar 86 is located in some other plane such as the plane containing draw-bar 20, shown in side view in Fig. 1. These drawbars are made ot insulating material and are supported on the spacing rods extending between the end plates of the structure and are guided in their movement between the cross members which extend from one side plate 39 to the other side plate 40. Paying particular attention to the draw-bar 2l, it will be noted that said bar is provided with two diagonally disposed elongated apertures and 66. The rods 3 and 4 which support the draw-bar 21 pass through the apertures 65 and 66 respectively. At the top a. retractile spring 18 attached to the end of the draw-bar normally holds said bar in its extreme upper position with the lower ends of the elongated apertures 65 and 66 resting against the rods 3 and 4 which limit the upward movement of the bar. The drawbar21 in Fig. 2 is shown to be in its normal position.

Each draw-bar is punched or drilled with a series of holes through which the movable contacta-'iles 41. 42, 43, 44, etc., pass. After passing through each draw-bar, each ot' the said movable wires then crosses a correspond-` ing cooperating passive wire. being separated thereform b v a substantial distance when the draw-bar is in its normal position. By operating one of the dra w-bars the set of movable contact elements is displaced bodilyy and moved into physical contact with the cooperating passive contact elements. In Fig. 1 the draw-bar-2l is illustrated in its operated position, drawn downwardly against the tension of spring 18 carrying the movable con ductors into contact with the stationary conductors'53, 54, 55, etc.

The electromagnets are employed for im- `parting the necessary motion to the drawbars. There ,is one magnet for each bar,

magnets 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 91 being assigned respectivel to draw-bars 20, 21, 22,

23 67 and 86. T lese magnets and their attachments to the respectlve draw-bals are all the same so that a' description of one /will serve as an explanation for the'rest.

Referring to magnet 25 allotted to the drawbar 21, this magnet is suitably mounted on a support 92 to which the armature 29 is pivoted. The extreme opposite end of the armature 29 projects through a hole 30 in the lower end of the draw-bar 21. To some stationary part of the structure there is pivoted a bell crank lever 32, one arm of which is overturned as shown a 33 to form a finger which normally lests in a hole 34 in the depending portion of the draw-bar 21. To the other arm of the lever 32 a retractile spring 36 is attached, the opposite end of which spring is secured to the stationary rod 4. The armature 29 of the magnet 25 carries an upturned portion 3l, the end of which eX- tends across over thetop of one arm of the bell crank lever. This. arrangement is clearly shown in Fig. 2. Normally the retractile. spring 35 draws the lever 32 upwardly about its pivot so that the projecting finger 33 enters the hole 34 in the draw-bar 21. The draw-bar 21 being also moved upwardly to its extreme position as shown in Fig. 2 by the spring 18 carries thel armature 29 upwardly to its extreme position whereby the upturned portion 31 moves away from the bell crank lever 3 permitting the same to enter the hole 34. The normal position of Ythese elements is shown in connection with the magnet 24, for example, which isdeenergized, the bell crank lever- 36 having its projecting linger extending into the hole in the draw-bar 20. Also the draw-bars 22 and 23 are shown in their normal positions with the magnets 26 and 27 deenergized and the levers 37 and 38 engaging the holes in the respective'draw-bars. The'function ot the levers 36, 32, 3T and 38 is to mechanically lock the corresponding.draw-bars against downward movement. The reason for locking the draw-bars at all times except when one is taken for use will be explained in connection with a description of the manner in which the switching mechanismis operated to etl'cct ythe interconnection of an incoming and an outgoing circuit.

Assume that the structure is in its normal position, all dra\\'-bars being at their extreme upward positions. By som-e suitable circuit arrangement the magnet 25 is selected and energized. The selection of this magnet determines that the particiilar circuit to be established necessitates the conlll lll)

nection of the movable contact elements 41, 42, 43, etc., with the passive set of contact elements 53, 54, 55, etc. The energization of magnet causes the same to attract its armature 29. The first downward motion of the armature 29 carries the same from the top of the slot 30 to the bottom thereof,

it being observed that the slot is fconsider ably deeper than the thickness of the armature. Consequently, this first motion of the armature 29 takes place without any effect whatever upon the draw-bar 29. This downward movement of the armature 29, however, does cause the upturned member 31 to engage the bell crank lever 32, rotating it about its pivot lagainst the tension of spring 35. The rotation of the lever 32 withdraws the projecting inger 33 from the hole 34 whereby the draw-bar 2l is unlocked. Continued movement of the armature 29 toward the pole piece of the magnet causes the tip end ot said armature to engage the bottom of the hole 30 and to draw` the bar 21 downwardly against' the spring 18. The downward movement of the bar 2l bodily carries the movable conductors 41, 42, 43, etc., into physical contact'. with the cooperating passive conductors 53, 54, 55, etc., thus establishing the desired connection. So long as the connection is required the magnet 25 is maintained energized and when the time arrives that such connection is no longer needed the circuit ot the magnet is opened and the armature 29 1s withdrawn by the action of springs 18 and 35, the bell crank lever 32 again looking the draw-bar in position.

It will be noted that the movable conductors 41, 42, 43, 44, etc. pass on the same side of, namely, above, all sets of stationary intersecting conductors. It' the draw-bars were free to move, only being restrained by the tension ot the retractile springs, there would be danger of double connections due to the movement imparted from one drawbar to another. That is to say, if the drawbar 20 were only held by means of its spring 17 and the draw-bar 21 were moved down.- wardly by its operating magnet, the displacement of the movable conductors would probably urge in the draw-bar 2O against the tension ol spring 17 to a position where the movable conductors might engage the stationary conductors 87, 88, 89, 90, etc. For this reason the draw-bars are all locked mechanically as has been explained and remain locked until their individual magnets are operated. lVith the adjacent drawbars 20 and 22 firmly locked in position, the

displacement. of the movable conductors byY the operating' draw-bar 21 cannot bring them into engagement with the passive conductors at either of the positions represented by the said adjacent draw-bars.

Consideration will next be given to an- 1,54s,ea5 v 4other feature of the invention,` by means of which a sliding or rubbing action is attained between the coacting sets otstationary and movable conductors, the purpose being to maintain clean electrical contacts. Regarding Fi". 2, especially, this feat-ure is attained by means of the diagonal apertures and 66 hereinbefore mentioned. Whenever a draw-bar is moved downwardly by its operating magnet, the diagonal apertures coact with the stationary supporting rods in 'such manner that the draw-bar ls displaced laterally during itsy downward movement. A substantial portion of this lateral displacement may take lace following 4the engagement of the movable conductors with the stationary conductors. In other words, the lirst movement of the draw-bar carries .the movable conductors into contact with the stationary conductors, while the greater part of the movement which follows causes the movable conductors to rub sideways over the stationary conductors due to the lateral action oit the draw-bar. Conversely, upon release oi' the draw-bar the first eli'ect is lateral motion in the opposite direction, rubbing the conductors over each other until the latter part of the return stroke, at which time the said conductors are disengaged.

In Fig. 3, a diagrammatic illustration is given of two sets of movable conducting elements and two sets of passive conducting elements and the draw-bars located at the points of intersection for effecting connection. The movable conductors 41, 42, 43, etc. of the first set are shown in intersecting relation with one set of passive conductors 53, 54, 55, 56463, 64 and in intersecting relation with a second set of passive conductors 87, 88, 89, etc. The draw-bar 21 is located at the point of intersection between the movable conductors and thelirst set of passive conductors, while the draw-bar 20 is provided at the point of intersection between the movable conductors and the second set of passive conductors. Also, there is shown in this figure a second set of movable conductors 69, 70, 71, 72-75, 76, arranged in cooperating intersecting relation with said two sets of passiveconductors. rIhe draw-bar 67 located at the point of intersection serves to move the movable conductors into contact with the first set` of passive conductors 53, 54, 55, etc. The draw bar 68 serves to move the movable conductors 69, 70, 71, 7 2, etc. into engagement with the second set of passive conductors 87, 88. 89, etc. This principle of having aset of movable conducting elements arranged in cooperative relation with a plurality of sets of passive conducting elements and of having the passive conducting elements serve a plurality of sets of such movable conducting elements may be carried Lasffar as desirable, the number of pointsfof coopera- 'llO tion depending upon the nature of the circuit conditions for which the switch is required.

As shown in tliesc figures a single set of movable and a single set of corresponding passive conductors comprise twelve individual conductors in number. These are shown as subdivided into groups of four which' might indicate that each grou of four represented a separate circuit suc as' an incoming line or an incoming trunk, while the cooperating group of four conductors might represent a corresponding outgoing line or trunk. Obviously, the subdivision oftlieconductors of a set is entirel arbitrary and depends only upon the con itions to be met.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switching device, a plurality of passive conducting elements, a plurality of movable conducting elements, each movable element having a separate point of cooperation with each of said passive elements, and a plurality of magnets, one for each point of cooperation between the movable and pas-- sive elements, the operation of any one of saidy magnets serving to move the corresponding movable element into contact with the corresponding passive element.

2. In a switching device, a plurality of passive conducting elements, a plurality of movable conducting elements, each movable element having a separate point of cooperation with each of said passive elements, and a plurality of magnets, one foreach point of cooperation between the movable and vpassive elements, the operation of any one of said magnets serving to move bodily the corresponding movable element into contact with the corresponding passive element.

3. In a switching device, a plurality of passive conducting elements, a plurality of movableconducting elements supported at either end, each movable element having a point of cooperation with each of said passive elements, and a plurality of magnets, one foreach point of .cooperation between the movable and passive elements, the operation ofone of said magnets serving to displace the corresponding movable element laterally, carrying it into contact with the corresponding passive element.

4. In a switching device, a plurality of passive conducting elements, a plurality of movable conducting elements arranged under tension, each movable element having a point of cooperation with each of said passive elements, and a plurality of magnets, one for each point of cooperation between the movable and passive elements, the oper-ationl of one of said magnets serving to move the corresponding movable element against its tension into contact with the corresponding passive element.

5. In a switching device, a plurality of passive conducting elements, a plurality of movable conducting elements, .each sup- I ported ata plurality of points,'each movable element having a oint of cooperation with each of said passive elements, and a plurality of magnets,` one for each point of "cooperation between the movable and passive elements, the operation of'one ofvsaid magnets serving to move the corresponding 4means assisted by the tension of said movable element for moving the same out of contact with the passive element.

7. In aswitching device, a plurality of passive conducting elements, a plurality ofmovable conducting elements, each movable element having a point of cooperation with each of said passive elements, a plurality of operating members, one for each point of cooperation between the movable and passive elements, said movable elements being attached to the operating members, and a plurality of magnets, one for each operating member, the operation of one of said magnets serving to actuate its operating member to move thecorresponding movable element into contact'with the corresponding passive element.' s

8. In a switching device, a plurality of passive conductingelements, a plurality of movable conducting elements, each movable element having a point of cooperation with each of said passive elements, a pluralit of slidable drawbars, one for each point o cooperation between the movable and passive elements, and a plurality of magnets, one for each drawbar, the operation of one of saidmagnets serving to' actuate the drawbar longitudinally to move the corresponding movable element into contact with the corresponding passive element.

9. In a switching device, a plurality of passive bare wire conductors, a plurality of movable vbare wire conductors, each movable wire having a point of cooperation with each of said passive wires, and a plurality of magnets, one for each point of coo eration' between the movable and passive wires, the operation of o'neof said magnets serving to move the corresponding movable wire into Contact With the corresponding passive Wire.

10. In a switching device, a plurality of sets of passive bare wire conductors, a pluto move t rality of sets of movable bare wire conductors, each set of movable wires havinga point of cooperation with each of said sets of passive Wires, and a plurality of magnets, one for each point of cooperation, the operation of one of said magnets serving to move the corresponding set of movable wires into contact with the corresponding set of passive wires.

11. In a switching device, a plurality of passive bare Wire conductors, a plurality of movable bare wire conductors, each movable conductor having a point of proximity with each of said passive wires` and a plurality of magnets, one for each point. of proximity` the operation of one of said magnets serving to move the corresponding movable wire into contact with the corresponding passive wire.

12. In a switching device, a plurality of passive bare wire conductors` n plurality of movable bare wim conductors, each movable wire having a point of intersect-ion with each of said passive wires, and a plurality of magnets one for each point of intersection, the operation of any one of said magnets serving to move the corresponding movable wire into contact with the corresponding passive wire.

13. In a switching device, a plurality of passive conducting elements, a movable conducting element having a point of cooper-l ation with each of the passive elements, a pluralit of operating members, one for each point o cooperation, a plurality ot magnets, one for each operating member, each magnet servin to actuate its operating member Iie movable element into contact with the corresponding passive element, and means for locking said operating members in normal position.

14. In a svvitchinoi device, a plurality of assive conducting e ements, a movable conducting element having a point of cooperation with each of the passive elements, a pluralit of operating members, one for each point o cooperation, a plurality of magnets, one foreach operating member, each magnet serving to actuate its operating member to move the movable element into contact with the corresponding passive element, means for locking said operating members, and means controlled by each magnet for unlocking its operating member. v

15. In a switching device, a plurality of passive conducting elements, a movable conducting element having a point of cooperation with each of the passive elements, a plurality of operating members, one for each point of cooperation, means for locking each member in a normal position, and a plurality of magnets, one for each operating member, each magnet serving to unlock its operating member and then to actuate Ysaid n'umber to move the movable element into contactI with the corresponding passive element.

16. In a switching device, a trame, a passive conduct-ing element, an operating bar supported by said frame, a movable conducting element supported by said bar and arranged for cooperation with the passive element, means for actuating the bar longitudinally for moving the movable, element into contact with the passive element, and means for moving said bar laterally to cause the movable element to rub over the passive element while in Contact therewith.

.17. In a switching device, a frame, a passive conducting element, an operating member supported by said frame, a movable conducting element supported by said member and arranged for cooperation with the pas-sive element, an electromagnet for actuating the operating member in the direction ot its length for moving the movable element into contact with the passive element, and means acting upon said member during its lengthwise movement for displacing it laterally to cause the movable element to rub over the passive element while in cont-act therewith.

18. In a switching device, a passive conducting element, an operating bar having diagonal slots therein, supporting members passing through said slots, a movable conducting element supported by said bar and arranged for cooperation with the passive element, and means for actuating said bar longitudinally for moving the movable element into contact with the passive element, said supporting members acting upon said diagonal slots during such movement to displace said bar laterally to cause the movable element to rub over the passive element while in contact therewith.

19. In a switching device, a frame, a plurality of conducting elements arranged in contact making relation with each other, one end of eac-h conducting element being fashioned to form a resilient member which cooperates with the frame to resiliently secure said element therein, and electromagnetic means to move one of the elements into cont-act with another.

20. In a switching device, a frame, a plurality of wires arranged in contact making relation with each other, each wire having `one of its ends fashioned to form a spiral spring which cooperates with the frame to resiliently attach such .wire thereto. and electromagnetic means to move one of the wires into engagement with another.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 4th day of October A. 11,1921.

HENRY'F. DOBBIN. 

